In the history of World War II there were many legendary and great vehicles, but the most iconic was and remains the Soviet medium tank T-34. This is an article about the history of the creation of this tank, about its predecessor A-32.
The history of the appearance of the T-34 begins in 1937, when the development of tanks began, which later influenced the creation of the "thirty-four". In September 1938, after reviewing the design drawings and models of the developed versions of the BT-20 tank by the armored control commission, it was decided to produce one wheeled-tracked tank with a 45-mm cannon, two tracked tanks with 76-mm cannons and one hull for shelling. In mid-December 1938, revised designs and models of the A-20 tank were reviewed and approved at a meeting of the Main Military Council. The A-20 was presented in two versions: wheeled-tracked and tracked (A-20G, which later became the A-32). But the final fate of the T-40, T-100 and A-20 tanks was decided on February 26, 1939 at a meeting of the Defense Committee of the Council of People’s Commissars of the USSR (permission to build prototypes and the allocation of the necessary funds). As a result, the next day a protocol of the meeting of the Defense Committee was signed, according to which plant No. 183 was to produce three tanks.
Tank A-32 (with 76 mm L-10 gun)The wheeled-tracked A-20 was ready by May 26, 1939. But the production of the A-20G tracked vehicle (in May 1939, a new designation was already found in the documents – A-32) was late: the first sample was ready on June 13, 1939. In appearance and design, the A-32 resembled the A-20, but there were still a number of differences: a) there was no wheel drive; b) the thickness of the armor was different; c) A-32 was armed with a 76-mm L-10 cannon; d) the weight of the A-32 was 19 tons. In July 1939, field tests of these tanks began, which ended on August 23. The conclusions of the commission that observed the tests were as follows: “The A-20 and A-32 tanks were well executed. In terms of strength and reliability, it is superior to all prototypes of previously produced tanks. They have more powerful armor protection compared to production vehicles… The cross-country ability of tanks is higher than that of BT… Conclusion. Prototypes A-20 and A-32 are suitable for operation in the Red Army. The A-32 tank, as it has a margin for increased weight, would be advisable to protect it with more powerful armor, correspondingly increasing the strength of individual parts.”.
Afterwards, both cars were sent to the Kubinka training ground in order to appear before the eyes of members of the USSR government (Voroshilov, Mikoyan, Zhdanov, Likhachev and Malyshev were present). Also participating in this review were tanks KV, SMK, T-100, BT-7M, T-26 and an armored vehicle BA-11. The new technology made a good impression on senior management. It was noted that the A-32 has the full ability to enhance armor up to 45 mm without any special modifications, which should provide protection against 37 mm shells. To determine the possibility of enhancing the armor, they used the second sample of the A-32, which was manufactured on August 26, 1939. It differed from the first sample only in armament: a 45-mm tank gun was installed. In addition, the loaded tank lacked optical instruments, a gun lifting mechanism, radio equipment, machine guns, ammunition rack with weight models of artillery rounds and machine gun magazines, spare parts and transportable tools. The tank was loaded with cast iron blanks to a weight of 24 tons.
Tank A-32 (second sample), http://slingo-casino.uk/ loaded with cast iron blanks.
At the end of August 1939, KB 520 began development of a new tank with more armor. This machine received the designation A-34. In December 1939, at a meeting of the Defense Committee, Resolution No. 443c was adopted., part of the new tank from plant No. 183 said the following:
“Adopt the Red Army:..
T-32 tank – tracked, manufactured by plant No. 183 of Narkomsredmash, with the following changes:
A) increase the thickness of the main armor plates to 45 mm;
B) improve visibility of the tank;
C) install an F-32 76 mm cannon on the tank, coaxial with a 7.62 mm machine gun..
Assign a name to the specified tank “T-34”..
A) organize the production of T-34 tanks at Kharkov plant No. 183;
B) produce 2 prototypes of T-34 tanks by January 15, 1940 and an initial batch of 10 by September 15, 1940..
C) to increase the capacity of the plant for the production of T-34 tanks as of January 1, 1941 to 1,600 units … "
It was planned to be produced as A-20 (plant No. 183 in. Kharkov), and T-34 (plant No. 183 and Stalingrad Tractor Plant), but later it was decided to abandon the production of the A-20 in favor of the T-34.
The first sample of the A-34 tank, right view.
Tank A-34 No. 1, front view.
Thus, the T-34 tank was put into service even before the production of prototypes: only the loaded version of the A-32 passed the test. On January 16, 1940, the first T-34 sample entered factory testing.